The Civil Wars – “The Civil Wars”

Nashville duo the Civil Wars may have gone on “indefinite hiatus” just as their star seemed ready to ascend to the highest strata of the pop world at the end of last year, but the Grammy-winning country-folk act fortunately held together long enough to record a second full-length album.

Ty Segall – “Sleeper”

The West Coast garage auteur has lately displayed an ever maturing sense of melody and structure, a development he seems poised to continue with August’s “Sleeper.”

Explosions in the Sky – “Prince Avalanche”

Austin-based instrumental quartet composed the soundtrack for the film “Friday Night Lights” and returns with a score for David Gordon Green’s Paul Rudd-starring film.

“Shirley Jones: A Memoir” – Shirley Jones (Gallery Books)

One of TV’s favorite moms surprised fans with her tell-all autobiography focusing on her spicy and tumultuous marriage to Jack Cassidy as well as anecdotes from “The Partridge Family” days. TMI? Maybe, but that’s what makes it newsworthy.

The author spent his entire career devoted to the Mouse, eventually becoming head of Walt Disney Imagineering. Disney devotees will savor his anecdotes about being Uncle Walt’s speechwriter.

“The Butler: A Witness to History” – Wil Haygood (37 Ink)

“Lee Daniels’ The Butler” was based on a Washington Post article, now expanded into a book that also looks at the history of black images in Hollywood, including photos of presidential butler Eugene Allen.

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag (Ubisoft)

In the latest installment of Ubisoft’s “Assassin’s Creed” franchise, explore the Caribbean as you board and plunder ships as a former privateer and seasoned fighter who comes across some of the most infamous pirates in history.

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified (2K Games)

With a healthy dose of “The X-Files,” players take on the role of a special agent in 1962 who investigates an alien invasion on U.S. soil. Game serves as the origin story of the clandestine organization in 2K’s “XCOM” franchise and prequel to “Enemy Unknown.”

Zagat Guides

Now free to users, Zagat recently updated its restaurant guide apps for iOS and Android with the latest info on eatery ratings, bars, cafes and clubs. Only nine cities are currently included — fortunately, Los Angeles, New York, London, San Francisco and Austin are in the mix.

Sharknado Flask

Much more sharky swag is on its way; in the meantime, smuggle this flask in to midnight shows or repeat viewing parties.

Grumpy Cat Grumpachino

Named 2012’s “Most influential cat,” the frowning feline has a feature film deal, a book and a calendar — and now her own bottled coffee drink, presumably to help her equally crochety fans wake up in the morning.